More than 200 Iraqi civilians who claim British forces routinely abused them in custody are suing the British government to force a public inquiry into their case.
Speaking through their lawyers in London’s High Court Friday, the Iraqis say they were raped, sexually abused, kept in prolonged solitary confinement and deprived of food, water or sleep.
A British Defense Ministry spokesman said the statements are “unproven allegations of mistreatment.”
But in a statement, Public Interest Lawyers, the firm representing the Iraqis, said the civilians were subjected to “systematic” abuse by British soldiers and interrogators in Iraq from March 2003 to December 2008.
Two public inquiries already have been opened into the death of up to 20 Iraqis under British custody.
Phil Shiner, who heads the human rights law firm, said it would be nonsense to suggest that the abuse had been confined to a few cases.
Some information in this story was provided by AP and AFP.
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